Iwo-jima volcano (Volcano Islands, Japan): new phreatomagmatic eruption
A new phreatomagmatic eruption took place at the volcano on 30 October. The eruption occurred approx. 1 km off the coast of Okinahama Beach, located on the south of the island. From aerial footage, a mixture of dark black volcanic ash, lapilli, bombs and seawater were being thrown to a height of 20-30 meters every few minutes. A certain amount of lighter pumice was also present in the ash, probably representing a batch of fresh magma that had driven the explosion. A pumice raft has been observed floating towards the other side of the island. Phreatomagmatic activity means that erupting magma reacts with external water, e.g. ground water, lake water, sea water etc. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the eruption site was affirmed at roughly the same location as happened in July-August, October and December last year. Over the past years, the volcanic activity at the volcano has caused the island to rise, actually some spots have risen more than 10 meters over ...